On Thursday, in a speech by U.S. Department of Education Secretary Betsy Devos, the Department announced that it would undertake a review of its current Title IX enforcement guidance concerning campus-based sexual harassment and violence. Particularly, Ms. DeVos notified stakeholders … Read more

On Friday, the Connecticut Supreme Court issued its long-awaited ruling in Munn v. Hotchkiss School, the case involving a private school student who contracted tick-borne encephalitis on a school-sponsored trip to China. In its ruling, the Supreme Court found unanimously … Read more

Earlier this month, the General Assembly passed House Bill 7276, now Public Act 17-220, which contains a number of provisions aimed at providing “mandate relief” to boards of education. Section 5 of Public Act 17-220, effective July 1, 2017, … Read more

Earlier this month in the city of Pittsburg, Kansas, a group of curious student journalists raised serious questions about the credentials of their newly hired principal, Amy Robertson. According to the Kansas City Star, Robertson had received 100 percent … Read more

On January 26th Attorney Gary Brochu provided another webinar in the Board Member Boot Camp webinar series. The focus of the latest webinar was the conducting of board of education meetings utilizing Robert’s Rules. The webinar provided a framework … Read more

This workshop will provide board of education members with best practices and guidance regarding effective board operation with respect to internal governance, administration, school staff, students and the public (including parents and constituents).

On September 8, 2016, the United States Department of Education and the United States Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (“COPS”) jointly released new guidance regarding school resource officer programs. The new Safe School-based Enforcement through Collaboration, … Read more

The Food and Nutrition Service of the United States Department of Agriculture has released its final rule regarding Local School Wellness Policies under the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. All local school wellness policies must be compliant with the … Read more

In 2013, as part of Public Act 13-1, Connecticut enacted legislation that requires the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP), in consultation with the State Department of Education, to develop school security and safety standards and further requires … Read more

For those of you in Fairfield County, we are pleased to offer this seminar in our Stamford Office. Join Shipman & Goodwin attorneys Thomas B. Mooney, Jessica Richman Smith and Melika Forbes for a timely discussion and comprehensive review of … Read more

Join attorneys Gary R. Brochu and Jessica L. Ritter for a timely presentation for board of education members. This workshop is intended to provide a comprehensive review of the legal rights and responsibilities of board of education members.

In recent years, there have been increasing concerns involving discrimination faced by the transgender community. Not surprisingly, these concerns have centered on the challenges faced by gender non-conforming students and whether the needs of such students are being met by … Read more

The Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS) within the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) recently released revised school security and safety plan standards that no longer require that all school employees complete certain Incident … Read more

The Connecticut State Department of Education (“CSDE”) has issued guidance on school climate assessment instruments. All public school districts, including magnet and charter schools, and RESCs, are required to implement Safe School Climate assessments biennially. This requirement went into effect … Read more

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With more than 175 attorneys in offices throughout Connecticut, New York and in Washington, DC, we serve the needs of local, regional, national and international clients. Our clients include public and private companies, institutions, government entities, non-profit organizations and individuals.